Casey moves three shots clear

Britain's Paul Casey takes a three-stroke lead into Sunday's Wales Open final round looking to virtually seal his Ryder Cup place.

A blistering start by Casey took him past his playing-partner, overnight leader and compatriot Simon Khan, as he picked up five strokes over the first five holes on Saturday.

Casey's seven-under-par 65 to add to his second round 63, took him to 19-under-par 197, three shots in front of Khan, who had broken the course record the previous day when shooting 61 with a spectacular front nine.

After going out in 30, six-under-par, Casey twice missed very short putts to drop shots but he came roaring back with three birdies in the last five holes, fired by a swinging 25ft putt on 14, to put himself on the brink of his fourth European Tour title.

"I probably would have taken 65 at the start of the day," said Casey, "but I still feel I left a few shots out there.

"I closed up the gap nice and quickly and the plan was to try to shoot 63 again but then I missed a three-footer and one of only one and a half feet.

"The 14th was a bonus, though, a real curler, and it steadied the ship.

"I was pleased I stayed focused and happy I'm dealing with my mistakes, not costing myself further shots by staying frustrated because my attention-span has been poor for the last few weeks."

Casey still would not reveal what the 'off-course distractions' were that have affected his concentration lately, just saying: "It's nothing startling, nothing in comparison with Monty (Colin Montgomerie).

The 375,093 points for first prize would take Casey from 10th place and past the one million points mark on Europe's Ryder Cup table up into sixth.

However, he is refusing to think that far ahead. "I'm not going to worry about the Ryder Cup yet," said Casey. "My goal is to stay positive and play well and if I don't play well then to grind out a result."

In contrast to the previous day, when he was a record-equalling nine-under for the first nine holes, a more subdued Khan picked up just one shot going out and gave that back with a bogey on 11 but kept his maiden win in sight by birdieing the last two holes for a 70.

South Africa's James Kingston, also looking for a maiden win, holds third place five strokes off the pace, with Montgomerie, whose good run over the week came to an abrupt end with a double-bogey when he lost a ball on 15, sharing fourth place, seven strokes behind leader Casey.

Montgomerie, in his best position since the news of his marriage break-up was announced a month ago, was able to jam in five birdies around his mistake, though, and said: "It's not lighting up the world but it's okay."

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